Folding table



Dec, 20, 1932. A 1.. SL'EE FOLDING TABLE Filed Aug. 5. 1931 IIQVEN 70/? Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES ARTHUR L. SLEE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA FOLDING TABLE Application filed August 5, 1931.

My invention relates'to improvements in foldin tables wherein a lurality of sets of separa le nested legs of 'iferent length operate to support the table top at different elevations above a supporting surface.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved folding table.

Another object is to provide a new and improved folding table, the top of which may be supported at'any one of several diiferent elevations above a supporting surface.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved folding table having a plurality of sets of legs whereby the top of said table may be supported a comparatively short distance above a bed for invalids use, at a slightly greater elevation from a floor or other supporting surface for childrens use, and at a standard elevation foradults use.

A still further object is to provide an improved folding table having groups of nested legs of different lengths whereby said table top may be supported at different elevations above a supporting surface by extendingthe legs of the proper length.

A still further object is to provide an improved folding table having a plurality of groups of separable nested legs of different lengths, the longer legs being nested within the shorter legs, and having improved means for both facilitating the separation of the legs and also for providing a base broader than the cross section of the legs whereby the same may be properly supported upon a yielding surface, such as bed clothing, or the like.

I accomplish these and other features by means of the improved details of construction, and the arrangement thereof, set forth in the drawing forming a part of the present application, wherein like characters of reference are used to designate similar parts throughout the specification anddrawing, and in which- Fig. 1 is a bottom view of my improved folding table, with the legs folded;

Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section,

10 in the next adjacent leg which in turn en- Serial No. 555,166.

disclosing some of the legs in extended'position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of one group of legs; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line l4 of Fig. 3-.

Referring to the drawing: the numeral 1 is used to designate a table top or body with the usual side flanges 2. A plurality of groups of legs, each group being designated in general by the numeral 3, is each preferably pivotally connected at the upper ends, as at 4, to suitable blocks or bearings 5 mounted upon the under side of the table top 1.

Each group 3 consists of a set of nested legs of different lengths, two at least of which are formed from channels, and the lower ends of said channels being provided with outwardly extending or flared portions 6, the purpose of which will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

Suitable foldable braces 7 are pivotally connected, in the usual manner, to preferably the shorter legs and to the table top 1, as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. Preferably, where the folding braces 7 are connected by means of the usual rivet 8 to the shorter legs or channels of each group 3, the inner rounded head 9 engages an indentation gages a similar indentation 11 of the third or inner leg of the nested group. The friction thus provided normally retains the legs in nested relation, either when folded or extended.

The legs may be readily'retainedin folded position against the bottom of the top 1 by any suitable latching or retaining means, not

.shown, as such means form no part of the present invention.

In operation, when it is desired to extend the legs to support the top 1 in its highest or normal elevation, the longer leg of each group or set is extended, as, being nested within the remaining legs, the entire nested group is moved to extended or supporting position, the shorter legs, with their flared ends thus providing additional support for thelonger and lighter legs and at the same time providing an ornamental and pleasing appearance for the extended legs.

If it is desired to elevate the top 1 to an intermediate elevation, for the use of chil 5 dren, the intermediate legs are extended by holding down the longer legs against the table top and grasping the flanged ends 6 of the intermediate legs. These legs being formed of channels, the flanges 6 provide both a means for facilitating separation of the legs and also for providing a broader support, to prevent the otherwise sharp blunt ends of the channel from marring floors, carpets or other supporting surface.

When the table is prepared for the use of an invalid, the shorter legs are extended in the same manner as described for the intermediate legs. Here too, theflanges' 6 provide a means for facilitating separation'of the shorter from the other legs, and simultaneously provide a broad base to provide adequate support upon a yielding surface, such as bed clothing or the like, and also provide a means whereby the otherwise sharp or blunt ends of the channel may be prevented from tearing said bed-clothing.

It should be noted that, as the legs of each group are nested and the folding braces 7 are attached to the shorter legs, said braces will always be automatically extended with any extended set. I am fully aware that the present state of the art discloses folding tables having a plu rality of sets of legs, each of a different length, whereby said table may be supported at difleernt elevations above a supporting surface. Therefore, I do not wish to claim such a combination broadly, but

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A table comprising a top or body; and a plurality of sets of nested legs, each set of a different length and each longer leg of a set being nested within a shorter leg, whereby said top or body may be supported at differ ent elevations above a supporting surface.

2. A table comprising a top or body; a plurality of sets of nested legs, each set of a different length and each longer leg of a set being nested within a shorter leg, whereby said top or body may be supported at different elevations above a supporting surface; and means provided on certain of said nested legs to facilitate their separation from the other sets.

3. A table comprising a top or body; and a plurality of sets of legs, each set of a different length, each leg of the longer sets being nested within a leg of a shorter set, and ivotally mounted together to said top or body, whereby said top or body may be supported at different elevations above a supporting surface.

4. A table comprising a top or body; a plurality of sets of legs, each set of a diiferent length, each leg of the longer sets being nested within a leg of a shorter set, and pivotally mounted together to said top or body, whereby said top or body may be supported at different elevations above a supporting surface; and means for facilitating the separation of the nested legs and also for forming a broad foot for support on a yielding surface.

5. A table comprising a top or body; and a plurality of sets of legs of different lengths, each leg of the longer lengths being nested within a leg of the shorter lengths, whereby said top may be supported at diflferent elevations from a supporting surface.

6. A table comprising a top or body; and a plurality of sets of legs of difl'erent lengths, each leg of the longer lengths being nested within a leg of the shorter lengths, whereby said top may be supported at different elevations from a supporting surface, said shorter lengths being provided with flared ends to facilitate separation of said shorterlegs from said longer legs.

7. A table comprising a top or body; a plurality of sets of legs of different lengths, each leg of the longer lengths being nested within a'leg of the shorter lengths, whereby said top may be supported at different elevations from a .supporting surface, said shorter lengths being provided with flared ends to facilitate separation of said shorter legs from said longer legs; and foldable means pivotally connected to said top and legs for retaining one or all sets of legs in extended supporting position.

8. A table comprising a top or body; and a plurality of groups of legs pivotally connected to said top for supporting the same, each group comprising separable legs of different lengths each longer legbeing nested within a shorter one whereby said table may be supported at different elevations above a supporting surface.

9. A table comprising a top or body; and a plurality of groups of legs pivotally connected to said top for supporting the same, each group comprising separable nested legs v each of a different length and one leg nested within another, the shorter legs, at least, of each group being formed of channels and. having their bottom ends flared to form flanges, both to provide broader support and to facilitate separation of said legs, whereby said top may be supported at different elevations above a supporting surface.

10. A table comprising a top or body; a plurality of groups of egs pivotally connected to said top for supporting the same, each group comprising separable nested legs each of a difi'erent length each longer leg being nested within a shorter one, the shorter legs, at least, of each group being formed of channels and having their bottom ends flared ARTHUR L. SLEE. 

